Does Mobilisation and Manipulation have side effects?
Mobilisation and manipulation are generally very safe. Side effects are very
What should patients expect?
rare. You will be fully screened for any contraindications before undergoing
treatment. You need to be aware that in a small number of patients:
Physiotherapists assess using a detailed examination and plan a,treatment
andpatients.
post treatment
occurs.
Thisitshould
• Local discomfort
programme
with their
When soreness
manipulation
is used
will belast
no longerwith
thana arange
couple
daystreatment
at most. techniques such as exercise
combined
ofof
other
headiness
occasionally
occurs
in patients who receive neck
and
usually
will include
advice on
lifestyle.
• Light
manipulation - you will be monitored in clinic to ensure that this is
temporary
and resolves
before
you leave the physiotherapy
Does
Mobilisation
and
Manipulation
have
department.
side effects?
• Pain during treatment occurs which is momentary and passes off
quickly afterand
treatment.
Mobilisation
manipulation are generally very safe. Side effects are
symptoms
worse temporarily
after treatment.before
very
rare. You
will be can
fullyget
screened
for any contraindications
• Existing
undergoing
You needabout
to be any
aware
thatabove
in a small
number
You
should tell treatment.
your physiotherapist
of the
so they
can
of patients:
monitor
your response to treatment.
• Local
discomfort
and post
soreness
This should
a veryoccurs.
small number
of
Serious
side
effects
are extremely
raretreatment
but there are
last no longer
a couple
of days
at most.
cases of paralysis,
stroke than
and death
reported
in the
medical literature after
• Light headiness occasionally occurs in patients who receive neck
application
of manipulation.
manipulation - you will be monitored in clinic to ensure that this
is temporary and resolves before you leave the physiotherapy
Conclusions
department.
• Mobilisations
• Pain during
treatment occurs
which
momentary
passes off
and manipulation
are very
safeis when
used asand
treatment
quickly
after
treatment.
progressions to help with pain relief, increased joint range of movement
and improved
• Existingfunction.
symptoms can get worse temporarily after treatment.
• Physiotherapists offer a wide range of treatment methods.
You should tell your physiotherapist about any of the above so they can
and manipulations
can be used to treat a wide range of
• Mobilisations
monitor
your response
to treatment.
musculoskeletal and orthopaedic conditions.
Serious side effects are extremely rare but there are a very small number
of cases of paralysis, stroke and death reported in the medical literature
after
application
of manipulation.
If
you
need this
information in another language,
large print, Braille or audio, please contact the
Conclusions
Communications
Manager, on (01905) 760020.
• Mobilisations and manipulation are very safe when used as
treatment progressions to help with pain relief, increased joint
range of movement and improved function.
WPCT025 September 2008
• Physiotherapists offer a wide range of treatment methods.
• Mobilisations and manipulations can be used to treat a wide
range of musculoskeletal and orthopaedic conditions.
need to
know
Mobilisations,
What you need to know
Manipulations and
Physiotherapy
Mobilisations, Manipulations
and Physiotherapy
www.worcspct.nhs.uk
www.hacw.nhs.uk
Is Mobilisation and Manipulation Safe?
IsMobilisation
Mobilisation
and Manipulation Safe?
and manipulation is generally very safe when practiced by a
physiotherapist who has been trained in these techniques. Physiotherapists will
Mobilisation
is generally
veryand
safe
when practiced
always assessand
yourmanipulation
condition by taking
a full history
performing
a thorough
by
a
physiotherapist
who
has
been
trained
in
these
techniques
physical examination before considering the application of any mobilisation or
Physiotherapists
will always assess your condition by taking a full history
manipulation techniques.
and performing a thorough physical examination before considering the
application of any mobilisation or manipulation techniques.
Will it Work?
Research has shown that the majority of people gain some short-term pain relief
Will
it Work?
and improved
function with mobilisation and manipulation. The use of mobilisation
and manipulation are additional treatments to a home exercise programme, rather
Physiotherapists have a wide range of treatment methods at their
Physiotherapists
have a exercise,
wide range
of treatment
methods
at their disposal.
disposal.
These include
education,
advice,
ice, electrotherapy,
These include exercise, education, advice, ice, electrotherapy,
acupuncture, mobilisations and manipulations.
acupuncture, mobilisations and manipulations.
Physiotherapists may
may utilise
manipulation
techniques
as
Physiotherapists
utilisemobilisation
mobilisationand
and
manipulation
techniques
part of their treatment. Physiotherapists perform mobilisation and
as part of their treatment. Physiotherapists perform mobilisation and
manipulation by using their hands to apply a controlled force to a joint of
manipulation by using their hands to apply a controlled force to a
the spine or limbs, often moving it beyond its passive range of motion. The
joint
of the
spine
or limbs,
oftenon
moving
it beyond
its passive
range
amount
of force
applied
depends
the form
of manipulation
used.
The
of
motion.
The
amount
of
force
applied
depends
on
the
form
of
goal of the treatment is to relieve pain and improve physical functioning.
manipulation used. The goal of the treatment is to relieve pain and
improve physical functioning.
What is the difference between Mobilisation and Manipulation?
Mobilisations are generally gentler techniques that are performed several times by
What
is the difference
between
the physiotherapist
to improve your
joint rangeMobilisation
and help with pain and
reduction.
Manipulation?
Manipulation is a single application of a short and fast pressure upon the joint at the
end of its available range. Often the physiotherapist will use mobilisations in the first
instance to test are
for suitability
a manipulation
applied.
Mobilisations
generallybefore
gentler
techniquesprocedure
that are is
performed
Manipulations
may
be
used
if
no
benefit
has
been
gained
from
mobilisation.
several times by the physiotherapist to improve your joint range and
help with pain reduction. Manipulation is a single application of a short
and
fast pressure upon the joint at the end of its available range. Often
Research
the
physiotherapist
use mobilisations
infailing
the first
instance
test for
There is evidence that will
for some
patients who are
to respond
to to
exercise
suitability
a manipulation
procedure
is applied.
Manipulations may
therapy andbefore
pain relieving
medications,
a short course
of mobilisation
be
used
if
no
benefit
has
been
gained
from
mobilisation.
and/or manipulation may aid restoration of normal function and assist in pain relief.
Research
There is evidence that for some patients who are failing to respond
to exercise therapy and pain relieving medications, a short course of
mobilisation and/or manipulation may aid restoration of normal function
and assist in pain relief.
Research
has
shown
that the
of people
gain some short-term
than being
used
in isolation
as amajority
single treatment
technique.
pain relief and improved function with mobilisation and manipulation.
The use of mobilisation and manipulation are additional treatments to a
Why a Physiotherapist?
home exercise programme, rather than being used in isolation as a single
Physiotherapists
work in co-operation with doctors, keeping them informed and
treatment
technique.
referring back when necessary. Physiotherapists have completed a 3 - 4 year
training course with particular emphasis on anatomy and neurophysiology.
Why
a inPhysiotherapist?
Training
mobilisations and manipulations occurs at both under graduate and post
graduate levels. All physiotherapists who are registered with the Health Professions
Council (HPC) who
practice
mobilisation and
manipulation
are trained
to high
Physiotherapists
work
in co-operation
with
doctors, keeping
them
standards.
informed and referring back when necessary. Physiotherapists have
completed
a 3 - 4 year
training
course
withby
particular
emphasis
Some conditions
that
may be
helped
Mobilisation/Manipulation
on anatomy
and
neurophysiology.
Training
in
mobilisations
and
• Pain
manipulations occurs at both under graduate and post graduate levels.
• Stiff joints
All physiotherapists
who are registered with the Health Professions
injuries and manipulation are trained to
• Acute/Chronic
Council
(HPC) who injuries,
practicesports
mobilisation
Arthritis
high•standards.
• Back and neck pain
•
• Muscle
• Painand joint problems
Some Headaches
conditions that may be helped by Mobilisation/Manipulation
• Stiff joints
patients
expect?
What •should
Acute/Chronic
injuries,
sports injuries
Physiotherapists
• Arthritisassess using a detailed examination and plan a,treatment
programme
• Back
and
neck
pain When manipulation is used it will be combined with
with
their
patients.
other treatment techniques such as exercise and usually will include
a range• of
Headaches
lifestyle.
advice •onMuscle
and joint problems